President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is accelerating the completion of major railway projects in Northern Nigeria, with significant progress recorded on the Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Railway and the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project.
The Kaduna–Kano railway is scheduled for inauguration on December 3, 2026, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to expand rail transportation, improve regional connectivity and strengthen economic activities across Northern Nigeria.
According to the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, the 203-kilometre Kaduna–Zaria–Kano railway project has reached approximately 90 per cent completion, while the 400-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project has attained 70 per cent completion.
The council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, disclosed that when President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, the Kaduna–Kano project was less than 30 per cent complete, while the Kano–Katsina–Maradi project stood at barely five per cent.
The reported progress represents a major increase in the construction milestones recorded on both projects.
The Kaduna–Kano railway is an extension of the existing Abuja–Kaduna Standard Gauge Railway. When fully completed, it will establish a continuous rail connection between Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano, linking some of Northern Nigeria’s major commercial and population centres.
The project is expected to provide an alternative to road transportation, improve passenger movement, facilitate the transportation of goods and strengthen commercial activities along the corridor.
In another development, the 400-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project, which has attained 70 per cent completion, is expected to improve transportation and cross-border trade between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.
The progress on both projects was recently assessed during an inspection exercise directed by President Tinubu.
The Federal Government inspection team was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engineer Funso Adebiyi.
During the inspection, the team expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction work, particularly the railway alignment, drainage infrastructure, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation.
The inspection also featured a train test-run from Jaji in Kaduna State to Kano, providing officials with an opportunity to assess the completed track infrastructure, train movement and passenger comfort.
The test run represents an important stage in evaluating the railway infrastructure ahead of the planned inauguration.
However, some outstanding issues remain, particularly land acquisition and compensation matters within Kaduna metropolis.
President Tinubu has directed that all outstanding issues relating to land acquisition and compensation be resolved immediately to facilitate the completion of the railway corridor connecting Abuja and Kano.
Under the December 3 inauguration schedule, the completed 190-kilometre Jaji–Kano section of the Kaduna–Kano railway is expected to be inaugurated.
Similarly, a 250-kilometre section of the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway, covering Dawanu, Kano, Kazaure, Daura and Katsina, is also scheduled for inauguration.
These are sections of the larger railway projects, which are expected to undergo further work towards full completion.
For communities along these corridors, the railway projects hold significant economic and social importance.
Improved rail transportation could reduce pressure on highways, provide additional travel options, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and other commercial goods, and create opportunities for businesses along the railway routes.
The Kano–Katsina–Maradi connection also carries strategic importance for regional integration, particularly in strengthening commercial links between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
As construction progresses, attention will now focus on meeting the December 3 inauguration deadline, resolving outstanding challenges and ensuring that the infrastructure is completed to the required operational and safety standards.
The Federal Government says it remains committed to completing ongoing infrastructure projects across the country, with railway development forming an important part of its transportation expansion agenda.
For Northern Nigeria, the completion of these railway corridors could mark an important step towards improved connectivity, stronger commercial activities and more accessible transportation.
